JPH0457196B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

The present invention will be explained in the following order. A. Field of industrial application B. Prior art C. Problem to be solved by the invention D. Means for solving the problem E Example (1) Enlargement of characters in data processing mode (2) Enlargement of characters in word processing mode F. Effects of the Invention A. Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a method for displaying selectively enlarged dot matrix characters. Those characters are
Expanded from a stored set of binary data elements representing either dots or blanks. The above memorized methods can be used to selectively enlarge a character and to selectively emphasize a character as desired by independently increasing the density or thickness of the linear components that make up the character. A logical operation is performed on the set of binary data elements. B. Prior Art In dot matrix printers, each character consists of a matrix of dots and blanks that define the character. The dots are typically arranged in a matrix of positions arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns that are adjacent, parallel, and equally spaced from one another. The intersections of the matrices determine the positions of the dots and blanks, which can overlap depending on the spacing of the matrix intersections and the diameter of the dots.
Each dot or blank is represented in the device by a binary data element, typically with a binary 1 representing a dot and a binary 0 representing a blank. Data representing an entire set of at least one character is typically stored on the device, including numbers, upper and lowercase letters, punctuation marks, and other commonly used symbols. Depending on the type of device on which the characters are to be displayed, the desired character quality and size and printing speed can usually be selected within the capabilities of the display device and associated data processing equipment or computer. dot matrix printer, electrostatic printer,
Each type of display device, such as ink jet printers, cathode ray tube displays, etc., has unique physical limitations due to its mechanical or electrical capabilities. Typically this will affect the dot spacing between locations in the matrix and the speed at which the dots are displayed. The associated data processing device typically stores each set of binary data elements that define the shape of each character and processes the above to provide the desired size, density, or thickness of the displayed character. performs the necessary logical operations on the stored data and manages the physical operation of the printer (or display device). A dot matrix printer prints two characters.
It is desirable to be able to print characters in a size larger than that of a seed, and it is also desirable to be able to print characters in two or more different densities and thicknesses. It is also desirable that the dot matrix printer be capable of printing acceptably low quality characters at high speeds to obtain large amounts of output, or high quality characters at acceptably low speeds. Typically, when a large amount of output is required, such as in a data processing environment, low quality characters are printed at high speeds. Although high speed printing can be achieved by printing only a relatively small number of binary data elements per character, spaced approximately one dot wide apart,
As a result, low quality characters are printed. On the other hand, in word processing and office environments,
High quality printing of characters is desired, as is the ability to selectively enlarge or enhance all or some of the characters. High quality characters should be 1
This can be accomplished by printing multiple binary data elements per character, spaced less than the width of a dot. This results in slower printing speeds and a smaller amount of output, which is believed to be sufficient to meet the output needs of such an environment. To print characters of different sizes or qualities, it is necessary to provide data for printing at each size or quality. Additional binary for storing a single set of binary data elements representing each character at a single size and quality, and for printing enlarged characters or characters deemed to have higher quality. It is known to mechanically duplicate the above basic data in order to obtain data elements. This resulted in stepped diagonal lines, which significantly reduced the quality of the characters and their readability. Those low quality characters are
In order to reduce the stair-stepping effect, some type of smoothing process is required, and these methods are usually quite complex and expensive. Additionally, a related problem is the loss of symmetry of both individual characters and the groups of characters that make up words. For example, the spacing of the linear components of the characters may deteriorate, or the baseline of the character set may be lost or unacceptably widened. Another way to enlarge or emphasize a single character by simply overlapping the stored data is to duplicate all enlarged characters, all improved characters, and all their various combinations. The idea is to store all binary data representing a diverse set. However, characters whose size is enlarged by 2 times, 4 times, 8 times, etc. require 4 times, 16 times, 64 times, etc. the amount of data storage. Such increases in data storage are typically highly undesirable in terms of size and cost. Low-cost printers, using inexpensive and relatively simple data processing components, have the ability to store larger sets of enlarged or emphasized characters, or enlarge or emphasize characters and smooth them to improve their readability. It does not have the ability to process the complex algorithms traditionally required to maintain accuracy. To enlarge a character using the method of the present invention, additional binary data elements are generated from the stored binary data elements, and the stored binary data elements and the generated additional 2
A dot is printed at the selected matrix print location corresponding to the desired character, as represented by the combination with the binary data element. The generated additional binary data elements are selected to enlarge each character by stretching the horizontal, vertical, and diagonal linear components that define the character. The characters can also be emphasized by increasing the density or thickness of their linear components. Specifically, along the length of the vertical, diagonal, or horizontal linear components of the lines that make up the character, in order to make the character appear darker or denser. , partially overlapping dots can be selectively printed. Also, the lines can be selectively widened in a direction generally perpendicular to their linear direction to thicken them. Furthermore, to encompass various combinations of different print styles and sizes, the characters can be each individually printed in all directions or in one or more of horizontal, vertical, and diagonal directions. ,
They can be enlarged, thickened or their density changed. Similarly, the data can be processed to expand in one direction and emphasize in another direction. The term "diagonal" refers to any line that is neither horizontal nor vertical. Also, simply
Although reference is made to horizontal rows and vertical columns, the line direction or designation of the binary data elements can be varied as needed or desired to suit a particular application. . Since binary data can be thought of as a collection of lines, the present invention can be applied to all supplied data, regardless of whether it represents characters, graphics, line drawings, geometric shapes, etc. . C Problems to be Solved by the Invention The purpose of the present invention is to selectively enlarge dots and
The object of the present invention is to provide a method for displaying matrix characters. D Means for Solving the Problem The present invention uses binary data elements to
A method for displaying selectively enlarged dot matrix characters is provided. Each set of binary data elements is stored, each set defining the shape of each character with higher density in the horizontal direction and less density in the vertical and diagonal directions. Logical operations are performed on each set of stored binary data elements described above to generate additional binary data elements that increase the size of the character vertically and horizontally. Characters whose vertical, diagonal, and horizontal linear components are lengthened to increase the size of the character using the stored binary data elements described above as well as the additional binary data elements described above. is displayed. Also, those linear components are selectively thickened in the direction perpendicular to their linear direction,
They can also be selectively densified along their length. Depending on the nature of the characters to be displayed, the vertical direction that makes up the dot matrix character,
Selectively expand and thicken the linear components that are less than all of the horizontal and diagonal linear components,
The data representing the stored characters can be processed to create a high density. Additionally, the above additional method is used to thicken a character by positioning the generated binary data element to thicken the top of the character downwards and the bottom of the character upwards towards the center of the character. Binary data elements can be combined with stored binary data elements. Furthermore, characters can be enlarged by changing the vertical and horizontal enlargement ratios. The method of displaying dot matrix characters according to the invention comprises dots that are enlarged and selectively emphasized by thickening the components of the character or by increasing their density, or both.・Display matrix characters. The method of displaying dot matrix characters in accordance with the present invention minimizes the cost and amount of data storage required to produce a wide range of characters that are selectively enlarged or highlighted, or that include enlarged and highlighted characters. Make it. The method of displaying dot matrix characters in accordance with the present invention provides a method for displaying dot matrix characters from a single set of stored binary data elements representing a single set of characters. Display dot matrix characters. The method of displaying enlarged or highlighted dot matrix characters according to the present invention involves performing a series of logical operations on a single set of stored binary data elements to generate the character to be displayed. generated by. The method for displaying dot matrix characters according to the present invention determines the size, density, and thickness of the characters individually for each character, and for each horizontal, vertical, and diagonal component of each character. can do. The method of displaying dot matrix characters according to the present invention preserves the symmetry of the characters and the base line, and makes the size and emphasis of all characters uniform. The method of displaying enlarged or highlighted dot matrix characters according to the present invention minimizes the complexity and need for data handling and printer control and for obtaining higher processing and storage capabilities. This can be accomplished using inexpensive data processing equipment. E. EXAMPLE Next, a case will be described in which the method of the present invention is applied to a printer of the type schematically shown in FIG. Please understand that this also applies. A dot matrix printer typically includes a platen 1 over which a print medium 2 is moved by two tractor devices 3 and 4. The print medium is, for example, a continuous sheet of paper with parallel apertures 7 at its edges. Each tractor device includes a wheel or belt 5 provided with pins 6 projecting on its outer surface. The pin 6 engages with an aperture 7 in the paper to ensure reliable drive. The two wheels 5 are mounted on a common shaft 8, which can be rotated by a motor 9 for a tractor device to advance the media past the platen as required. Motor 9 is typically controlled by print media controller 74, as shown in FIG. The above printers are designed for printing that moves horizontally.
The print head has a support 12 above the platen 1 such that the media 2 passes between the platen 1 and the print head 11.
is mounted on top. The print head 11 is
A motor 13 for the print head allows it to be moved along the support 12 by a belt or by a rotating threaded shaft. The combination of paper movement and print head movement allows the print head to reach almost any position on the surface of the media 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the impact end of print head 11 is supported within body portion 15;
7 print elements 14 arranged in a 1x7 vertically oriented matrix
It consists of a column of Print element 14 is typically a print wire that is selectively moved axially, for example by an electromagnet. Each print wire is individually connected to an electromagnet so as to be energized in a timed manner with movement of the print head 11, if desired. The printing wire forces the ink ribbon onto the media 2 to perform a printing operation. Print·
As the print head 11 traverses the width of the paper along the length of the support 12, character-defining data is applied to electromagnets which pass the print head through the character-defining columns. The print wires are controlled in an aligned time sequence such that the print wires are energized when the print wires are energized. Dotted lines 19 to 21 in FIG. 3 indicate the horizontal, vertical, and diagonal linear components of the character, respectively. All characters can be defined by such components, and the diagonal components are all linear components that are not horizontal or vertical. Those component lines are not displayed when the character is printed. In this application, the maximum diagonal line is the line halfway between the horizontal line and the vertical line, ie, the line at an approximately 45 degree angle. The half-diagonal line is the line in the middle between the maximum diagonal line and the horizontal line or vertical line,
That is, a line displaced by approximately 22.5 degrees from either a horizontal line or a vertical line. Depending on the size and number of data elements in the matrix, the exact angular displacement will vary. As the print head moves laterally, as shown by arrow 18 in FIG. 3, the individual print wires of the print head define adjacent vertical columns of characters. is energized at an appropriate time to print dots that define the dots to be printed. Print head 11 prints element 14 in order to first print the leftmost vertical portion of the character, then print subsequent vertical portions column by column, and finally print the rightmost vertical portion. Operated selectively. The size and position of the characters and the distance between horizontally adjacent dots are controlled by varying the speed of print head movement relative to the timing of print element motion. The vertical spacing between the dots corresponds to the spacing of the print elements 14. Specifically, print head 11 is located at the letter Z shown in FIG.
As the position of row 1 is reached, print wires 1, 6, and 7 are advanced to strike the ribbon against the print medium to print the three dots of row 1, and then withdrawn. As the print head approaches row 2, print wires 1, 5, and 7 are advanced, and this pattern of operation continues as the print head moves from row 1 to row 5, as shown in the figure. This can be continued until the entire character is printed at 1x size. In one embodiment of the method of the invention, printing
Each print element 14 of the head 11 prints a circular dot approximately 0.4 mm in diameter, and the center spacing of adjacent print elements is such that vertically adjacent printed dots just touch each other. substantially equal to. To print low-quality 1x size characters at high speeds, the speed of movement of print head 11 across print medium 2 and the operating frequency of print element 14 must be adjusted so that horizontally adjacent rows of dots about
Align to have a center spacing of 0.4 mm. Such a character is shown in Figure 3 and is 1×−
It is called DP character. 1×-DP means 1 times the size and quality for data processing. FIG. 4 shows a character enlarged to 2× size by overlapping each initially stored dot to the right, bottom, and bottom right side, as is typically done in the prior art. shows. As a result, although the characters are well enlarged in the horizontal and vertical directions, undesirable stairing occurs in the diagonal direction, distorting the characters and making them difficult to read. If the image is enlarged by more than 2×, the above problem becomes even more serious. conventionally,
Some smoothing processes have been used to reduce such stairing effects, but they require complex algorithms and greater data processing and data storage capabilities, and are typically extremely time consuming. spend FIG. 5 shows the text of FIG. 3 enlarged to 2× size and the density and thickness of its linear components increased and emphasized in accordance with the method of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows that the characters in FIG.
It is shown that the linear component is enlarged to the size of × and thickened, but the density is not increased.
FIG. 7 shows the text of FIG. 3 enlarged to 2× size without increasing the thickness or density of its linear component in accordance with the method of the present invention. Figure 8 shows
In accordance with the method of the present invention, the text in FIG. 3 has been enlarged to 2× size to show that its linear component has been increased in density, but not thickened. The letters in FIGS. 5-8 indicate some of the magnification and enhancement combinations possible using the method of the present invention, which are discussed in more detail below. Although a particular embodiment of the method of the present invention is described for a print head having seven wires for printing a typical 5 columns by 7 rows of characters, the method of the present invention may be applied to different print heads. It should be understood that it also applies to heads and letters. or,
Depending on each printer's physical constraints regarding size and speed, the print head may be run multiple times to print enlarged or emphasized characters;
Or it may be necessary to move at a slower speed. Printing a character requires storing or being able to use each cent of a binary data element that defines the shape of each character. 2 of them
The hexadecimal data elements are processed as necessary to print dots that define characters. FIG. 9 shows logical ones and logical zeros stored in storage 16 representing binary data elements defining the shape of the letter z. Nine vertical columns and seven horizontal rows define each character, with each character being more densely defined horizontally and less densely vertically and diagonally. Data from the storage device 16 is read column by column and processed as necessary to sequentially move the columns of print elements 14 of the print head 11 across the print medium. The data from each processed column above is used to control. binary 1 in data storage location
When a binary 0 is stored, the corresponding print element is operated to print a dot on the print medium, and when a binary 0 is stored, the print element is not operated. less dense horizontally, vertically, and diagonally;
To print the 1× data processing quality characters shown in FIG. 3, the data elements in vertical columns 2, 4, 6, and 8 of storage device 16 are not used. . Therefore, to print the above characters, the data in the column indicated by the star at the top of the figure is removed and only the other columns are used. Each set of stored binary data elements represents a linear component defining each character.
Specifically, the characters are composed of horizontal, vertical, and diagonal components, as understood from FIGS. 3 to 6. According to the method of the present invention, each character is enlarged by increasing the length of linear components extending in each of the various directions. Characters can also be enlarged and made thicker by increasing the width of the linear component generally perpendicular to its length. For example, compare the bolded text in FIGS. 5 and 6 with the unboldened text in FIGS. 7 and 8. Furthermore, along with the enlargement, the density of the linear components can be increased to darken the appearance of the characters. Compare, for example, the increased density of the linear components of the characters in FIGS. 5 and 8 with the density of the linear components of the characters in FIGS. 6 and 7. (1) Enlarging characters in data processing mode When processing data to enlarge characters in low quality or data processing mode, such as printing the 2x character in Figure 6, the print head runs twice. There must be. On the first pass, the top or top half of the character is printed. after that,
The paper is advanced a distance equal to the height of the row of dots in the print head, and on the second pass the bottom or lower half of the character is printed. Because there is no need to print overlapping dots to emphasize characters by increasing the density or thickness of the linear component of the characters, the print head can move across the print media at maximum speed. . and performing a logical operation on each set of stored binary data elements from storage device 16;
It is necessary to generate additional binary data elements that expand the size of each character both vertically and horizontally, and to convert selected ones of the added binary data elements to dots. be. (As described in the next section, each character is selectively emphasized as necessary or desired by increasing its thickness and density by similar logical operations.) The binary data element is the stored binary data element.
Combined with the element, the enlarged text is displayed. When performing logical operations to generate additional binary data elements, a reference matrix is defined, which reference matrix consists essentially of a subset of the set of binary data elements stored in storage device 16. . The reference matrix is then expanded by adding blank binary data elements, whether dots or blanks, between the positions of already stored binary data elements. To determine whether the added binary data element should be converted to a dot, the expanded reference matrix is compared to a predetermined matrix, and the expanded reference matrix is compared to the predetermined matrix. to the extent that it matches
The added binary data element above is converted to a dot. That data is then printed. FIG. 10 shows a typical reference matrix consisting essentially of a subset of the set of binary data elements stored in storage device 16. The above reference matrix has three columns C1, C2, and
C3, as well as four intersecting horizontal rows R1,
It consists of a matrix with R2, R3, and R4. The 12 intersection points that define the matrix are indicated by the letters A-D, G-K, M-N, and P, which are the binary data stored in the storage device 16 that define the shape of the characters. Corresponds to the element. Each horizontal row has a vertical spacing of one dot width, and each vertical column has a horizontal spacing of one half dot width, which are stored in the storage device 16. corresponds to the interval of the data. The number of positions in the reference matrix may be as large as possible;
A matrix of rows is a minimal expansion of data processing modes. The reference matrix contains the stored binary data representing the stored characters.
As defined for different parts of the element, some matrix positions may be outside the area defined by the stored binary data, and such matrix positions may be located vertically between characters. Represents a binary data element that forms part of a blank space or horizontal blank space between lines of characters. Positions of the reference matrix that represent binary data elements outside the area defined by the stored binary data are designated as blanks, specifically, they are the leftmost two of the stored binary data. column and the two columns on the right. In Figure 11, the reference matrix of Figure 10 has been expanded by adding a row in the middle of each initial row to provide a 2x expansion in data processing mode; R1b, R2b,
R3b, etc., and the first rows are R1, R2, R3, etc. Similarly, one column is added in the middle between each initial column, and those added columns are denoted as C1b, C2b, C3b, etc., and the first columns are denoted as C1, C2, C3, etc. ing. The spacing between each initial row and each added row is one dot wide, and the spacing between each initial column and each added column is one-half dot wide. As a result, the size of the characters is doubled both vertically and horizontally, and the area and number of matrix positions is quadrupled. The intersections of the added row Rb with the first column C and the added column Cb, and the intersections of the added column Cb with the first row R and the added row Rb may later be converted to dots. represents an added blank binary data element. Positions A to D, G indicated by alphanumeric characters
The relative positions of K through K, M through N, and P remain the same, and the spacing between them has been increased. FIG. 12 shows, in the expanded reference matrix of FIG. 11, the binary data elements to be converted if some of the added binary data elements are to be converted to dots. A predetermined matrix is formed for the determination. In one aspect of illustrating the method of the invention, logical operations for making comparisons are performed using columns of a matrix. Stored binary data elements in the reference matrix are identified by designation of their relative position with respect to an arbitrarily selected reference row. The reference row in FIG. 12 is row R2, and the other rows are row R1 one position d below, row R3 one position u above, and row R4 two positions above. is related to the reference row above by logically shifting it by uu. In FIG. 12, when row R2 is designated as the reference row, data positions A to D, G to K, M to N, and P are designated as follows. I=C1d J=C2d K=C3d G=C1 A=C2
B=C3 H=C1u C=C2u D=C3u M=C1uu N=C2uu P=
After defining the C3uu reference matrix (Figure 10) and extending it by adding a predetermined blank binary data element (Figure 11),
In order to convert some of the added blank binary data elements into dots, the expanded reference matrix is compared with a predetermined matrix (FIG. 12). For example, to determine whether an added blank binary data element at position (C2b, R2b) of the expanded reference matrix should be converted to a dot, To determine whether an element is part of a linear component of a character that must be expanded horizontally, the expanded reference matrix is first compared to a predetermined matrix. The above predetermined matrix is expressed as follows. (C2b, R2b) =...B・C+A・C・
B. Using pool logic, the above formula can be used if positions A and D are blank (binary 0) and positions B and C are dots (binary 1), or if positions A and D are dots and position B is and C are blank, indicating that the binary data element at position (C2b, R2b) is converted to a dot. Otherwise, it remains blank unless converted to a dot by some other predetermined matrix. Applying the above predetermined matrix to the expanded reference matrix of FIG. It remains as it is. Using matrix columns rather than individual matrix elements, the state (logic 1 or logic 0) of all added binary data elements in added column C2b is represented as follows. (C2b, Rb) = 2.3u.C2u.C3 +C2.C3u.2u.3C Comparing the above equation with the previous equation, we can see that the positions A to D of the individual binary data elements indicated by alpha G to K, M to N, and P
and their positions (d, u,
You can see the correlation between uu). No dots are printed at the intersections of rows R (R1, R2, etc.) and columns Cb (C1b, C2b, etc.), ie, at positions (R, Cb). Therefore, such a reference matrix can be expressed as: (Cb, R) = 00 In the general form, the sequence C(i)b(C1b, C2b,
A predetermined matrix for determining whether an added binary data element in (e.g. C3b) should be converted to a dot is expressed as follows. C(i)bb=・u・xu・y +x・yu・u・ C(i)bb=00 Row Rb Row R matrix 1 In the above formula, x=C(i) y=C(i+1) be. As previously mentioned, these predetermined matrices cause the added blank binary data elements to be converted into dots, causing the characters to expand horizontally. To vertically expand and vertically thicken a character, the binary data elements added at all positions (C,Rb) are compared with another predetermined matrix. For the binary data element added at location (C2, R2b), the expanded reference matrix is compared with a predetermined matrix expressed as: (C2, R2b) = A・C+...[(B・H) ・(+)・(+)+(G・D)・(+) ・+)]+A・(G+B) All positions in column C2 The state of all added binary data elements in Rb is represented in column form as follows. (C2, Rb) = C2・C2u+2・2u ・[(C3・C1u)・(1+1uu)・(3u+
3d) +(C1・C3u)・(1d+1u)・(C3・C3uu)〕 +C2・(C1・C3) This predetermined matrix makes the upper part of the character thicker toward the center, and the enlarged character is Improves symmetry and appearance. More specifically,
The thickness of the horizontal line at the top of the character is increased by converting the added binary data element located below the dot representing the stored character into a dot. Conversely, for added binary data elements located at the bottom of a character, only those located above the corresponding stored data element are converted to dots. Therefore, if row Rb is at the bottom of the enlarged character, the above given matrix for converting the added binary data elements into dots is modified and represented in column form as follows: . (C2, Rb) = C2・C2u+2・2u ・[(C3・C1u)・(1+1uu)・(3u+
3d) + (C1・C3u)・(1d+1u)・(3・
3uu)] + (C2・(C1・C3)u First row R of the reference matrix (R1, R2, R3
etc.) contain binary data elements stored in storage device 16. In the general form, added binary data elements should be converted to dots to expand the character vertically and increase the vertical thickness towards the center. A predetermined matrix for determining whether C(i)=x C(i)=x C(i)=x・xu+(・u)・[y・wu・(+uu
)・(u・d) C(i)=x C(i)=x・xu+(・u)・[y・wu・(+uu
)・(u・d) +(w・yu)・(d+u)・(+・uu)〕+
x・(w+y) C(i)=x C(i)=x・xu+(・u)・[y・wu・(+uu
)・(u・d) +(w・yu)・(d+u)・(+・uu)〕+
x・(w+y) C(i)=x・xu+(・u)・[(y・wu)・(+
uu)・(u・d) C(i)=x C(i)=x・xu+(・u)・[y・wu・(+uu
)・(u・d) +(w・yu)・(d+u)・(+・uu)〕+
x・(w+y) C(i)=x・xu+(・u)・[(y・wu)・(+
uu)・(u・d) +(w・yu)・(d+u)・(+・uu)〕+
x·(w+y))u Row R Upper part of row Rb Lower matrix 2 of row Rb In the above formula, x=C(i) y=C(i+1) w=C(i-1). To make the character horizontally thicker, the result of the comparison between the expanded reference matrix and the predetermined matrix 2 is repeated one dot to the right. this is,
It is expressed as follows. C'(i)=C(i)+C(i-1) Matrix 3 C'(i)b=C(i)b+C(i-1)b
Matrix 4 When the thickness of a character is increased by converting adjacent binary data elements to dots at the intersection of a horizontal line and a half-diagonal line, the An element may be converted to a dot, with two horizontally adjacent dots spaced a half dot width apart. This increases the density of the linear component to a higher density than is desired for non-highlighted characters. Furthermore, depending on the mechanical and electrical characteristics of the printer,
It may not be possible to print overlapping dots at the fast print speeds desired for low quality or data processing mode characters. Therefore, by comparing the expanded reference matrix with a predetermined matrix expressed as: C″(i)=″(-1)・′(i) Matrix 5 C″(i)b=″(-1)・′(i)
Matrix 6 FIG. 1 is a flowchart representing the logical operations performed according to the method of the present invention to print characters with double size (2×) and data processing quality (DP). . The characters are derived from binary data elements stored in storage device 16 in accordance with the method of the invention to obtain the characters shown in FIG. In step 20, the sequence parameters that cause the program to process each column C(01), C(02), C(03), etc. of the expanded reference matrix are set to their initial values. In step 21, the column type of the expanded reference matrix is changed to column C representing both stored binary data elements and added binary data elements or only added binary data elements. is determined to be one of the columns Cb representing . Then, as represented by steps 22-27, the columns of the expanded reference matrix are compared with matrices 1-6 and the added 2
It is determined whether the decimal data element should be converted to a dot or left blank. This process is repeated column by column for each of the K columns, as determined by the counting loop specified in steps 30 and 31. all K
Once the columns have been printed, the routine ends. (2) Enlargement of characters in word processing mode In the method of this discovery described so far, as shown in Figure 6, the size is enlarged and the thickness is increased, but the density is Unincremented characters were displayed. In word processing or other applications where high quality printing is required as well as enlargement of the text, the text may be enlarged so that the text appears as a solid line without distortion, as shown in Figure 5. It is desirable to increase dot density. This is done using logical operations similar to those used for characters in data processing mode. Each set of stored binary data elements used in the word processing mode is as shown in FIG.
Stored 2 used in data processing mode
Identical to a hexadecimal data element. Therefore, in order to print characters of different sizes, densities, and thicknesses, binary data that defines the shape of each character is used.
Within each set of elements, a single set may be stored. The vertical direction of the character is initially determined using binary data elements, such as those stored in storage device 16, where the character has a high density in the horizontal direction and a low density in the vertical and diagonal directions. , generate additional binary data elements to increase the length of the vertical, diagonal, and horizontal linear components, and increase the thickness of the vertical, diagonal, and horizontal linear components by increasing the thickness of the vertical, diagonal, and horizontal linear components. By increasing the density of the vertical and diagonal linear components, enlarged word processing quality characters can be printed.
Horizontal linear components are stored with high density. Making a character larger than 2× requires further increases in the length, thickness, and density of all linear components of the character. The above method, which produces high quality characters suitable for word processing, reduces the density of the lower quality or expanded characters as data processing mode characters to the position between binary data elements for data processing mode characters. by converting additional binary data elements into dots. this is,
Essentially, it fills the gaps between the dots of a character along the length of each linear component that makes up the character. Typically, two runs of the print head are required to increase density.
The data printed during the second run is not the same as the data printed during the first run. Depending on the mechanical and electrical constraints of the particular display device or printer, the print speed may be reduced to half the speed for the data processing mode so that additional dots are printed horizontally between the dots of the data processing characters. reduced. To increase density vertically, the paper is advanced a distance equal to half the diameter of the dots, and on a second pass of the print head, additional dots are printed between the first dots. For example, if we use a size of 2×,
The character consists of two parts, an upper part and a lower part, and each part requires two passes of the print head to obtain the desired dot density. In the following description, the second run refers to the run that places the dots vertically between the first dots after the paper has been advanced a distance of half the diameter of the dots. FIG. 14 schematically shows a 1× size reference matrix for enlarging characters in word processing or fully emphasized mode. Row R and column C
The 16 matrix positions A through N and P through Q defined by the intersections of , correspond to stored binary data elements that define the shape of the character.
The horizontal rows R1 to R4 are each spaced vertically at intervals of one dot width, and the vertical columns C1 to C4 are each spaced one-half dot width apart. The matrix in Figure 14 is
Although similar to the matrix shown in FIG. 14, an additional column C4 has been added in the matrix of FIG. 14 to provide a total of 16 intersection points or matrix locations representing binary data elements. FIG. 15 shows each initial column C1, C2,
The first one expanded for word processing mode, with columns Ca, Cb, and Cc added between C3 and C4.
4 schematically shows the reference matrix of FIG. Similarly, each of the first rows R1, R2, R3, and
Rows Ra, Rb, and Rc are added between R4.
The intersection of the added column with the added row and the first row, and the intersection of the added row with the stored column are It represents 15 blank binary data elements added to a reference matrix defined with respect to binary data elements. The spacing between each row (e.g., between R3c and R4) is a half dot width, and the spacing between each column (e.g., between C1 and C1a) is a quarter dot width. It is the width of This spacing produces the desired overlap of dots in all directions to obtain dense characters. Each stored binary data element is
They are represented by alphanumeric characters A through N and P through Q, and can be represented using columns to indicate their relative position with respect to a reference row, such as row R2. For example, the binary data in row R1
The element can be identified with respect to row R2 by logically shifting the column containing the binary data element in row R1 downward one position d. The binary data elements in rows R3 and R4 can be specified with respect to reference row R2 by logically shifting the column up one position u or two positions uu, respectively. Each data position A to N and P to Q
can be specified as follows regarding the reference row R2 in FIG. I=C1d J=C2d K=C3d L=C
4d G=C1 A=C2 B=C3 E=C4 H=C1u C=C2u
D=C3u F=C4u M=C1uu N=C2uu P=C3uu Q=
C4uu As previously mentioned, characters printed in the word processing mode are printed in two sets of passes, each consisting of two passes of the print head. In the first set of runs, the top of the character is printed, and in the second set of runs, the bottom of the character is printed. During the first run of the first set, rows R, i.e. R1, R2, R3b, etc.
Printed using the odd numbered print wires (1, 3, 5, and 7) in print head 11, and rows Rb, i.e., R1b, R2b, R3b, etc., are printed using the even numbered print wires in the print head. (2, 4, and 6). Then, after the paper has been advanced by a half dot width, during the second run of the first set, the rows Ra, R1a, R2a, R3a, etc. The rows Rc, ie R1c, R2c, R3c, etc., are printed using even numbered print wires. (a) Printing the first run By adding predetermined blank binary data elements to the limited reference matrix between the binary data elements of the stored set of binary data elements, After expanding the reference matrix, the expanded reference matrix is compared with a predetermined matrix as described above, and when the reference matrix matches the predetermined matrix, the selected of the added binary data elements are Objects are converted from blanks to dots. The binary data element at location (C,R), ie, the location specified by alphanumeric characters A through N and P through Q, is obtained from the stored data. As shown in FIG. 16, the positions (C, Rb), (Cb, R), and (Cb,
The state of the added binary data element in Rb) is determined by comparison with a predetermined matrix described below. To make the text grow vertically, select column C2 and row
The state of the added blank binary data element at the intersection with R2b is determined by comparing the expanded reference matrix with a predetermined matrix expressed as: (C2, R2b) = A・C+・・((B・H)・(
+) ・(+)+(G・D)・(+)・(+)
) Determine the state of the added binary data element at every intersection of column C2 and row Rb by comparing the expanded reference matrix with a predetermined matrix expressed as: I can do it. (C2, Rb) = C2・C2u+(2・2u)・((C3・
C1u)) ・(1+1uu)・(3u+3d)+(C1・C3u) ・(1d+1u)・(3+3uu)) In the general form, an expanded reference matrix for vertically expanding the characters is used. The state of the added binary data elements in all columns C1, C2, C3, etc. can be determined by comparison with a predetermined matrix expressed as: C(i)=x C(i)=x C(i)=x・xu+(・u)・((y・wu)・(+
uu)・(u+d) C(i)=x C(i)=x・xu+(・u)・((y・wu)・(+
uu)・(u+d) +(w・yu)・(d+u)・(+uu)) Row R Row Rb matrix 7 In the above formula, x=C(i) y=C(i+1) w=C(i -1). To expand the character horizontally and maintain its density horizontally, the positions (Cb, R) and (Cb,
The added blank binary data elements in Rb) are compared with another predetermined set of matrices to determine which binary data elements should be converted to dots. Binary data at the intersection of column C2b and row R2
The elements are compared to a predetermined matrix represented as: (C2b, R2) = A.B The state of the added binary data element at all the intersections of column C2b and row R, i.e. R1, R2, R3, etc., is given by a given matrix expressed as: determined by a comparison of (C2b, R) = C2・C3 Added 2 at the intersection of column C2b and row R2b
The state of the binary data element is determined by comparison with a predetermined matrix expressed as: (C2b, R2) = A・D・・・・C・B Combining the above matrices, column C2b and row Rb
That is, all added binary data elements at the intersections with R1b, R2b, R3b, etc. are determined by comparison with a predetermined matrix expressed as: (C2b, R2) = C2・C3u・2u・3+2・
3u・C2・C3 Therefore, in the general form, a column that expands the characters horizontally and maintains its density horizontally.
The state of the added blank binary data element in all Cb, C1b, C2b, C3b, etc., is determined by comparing the expanded reference matrix with a predetermined matrix expressed as: can do. C(i)b=x・y C(i)b=x・yu・u・+・u・xu・y Row R Row Rb Matrix 8 In the above formula, x=C(i) y=C( i+1). The added binary data elements in columns Ca and Cc remain blank when expanded to a size of 2x. To thicken a character horizontally, the expanded reference matrix is compared with a predetermined matrix expressed as: C'(i)=C(i-1)+C(i) Matrix 9 C'(i)b=C(i-1)b+C(i)b Matrix 9 Figure 17 is displayed by a dot matrix printer. , enlarged to 2x size,
In one example of word processing quality characters, the additional binary data elements generated and stored after the print head has made two of four passes. indicates a combination with a binary data element. The flowcharts of FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate the above logical operations. (b) Second run printing To make the characters thicker in the vertical direction and increase the density in the vertical direction, as shown in Figure 18,
The state of the added binary data element at the intersection of column C2 and row R2a of the expanded reference matrix is determined by comparison with a predetermined matrix expressed as: (C2, R2a)=A・(G+B+C) The state of all added binary data elements at the intersections of column C2 and rows Ra, i.e. R1a, R2a, R3a, etc. Determined by comparison with the matrix. (C2,Ra)=C2・(C1+C3+C2u) The state of the added binary data element at the intersection of column C2 and row R2c is determined by comparison with a predetermined matrix expressed as: Ru. (C2, R2c) = A.C The state of all added binary data elements at the intersections of column C2 and rows Rc, i.e. R1c, R2c, R3c, etc., is given by a given matrix expressed as: determined by a comparison of (C2, Rc) = C2・C2u Therefore, in the general form, all columns C1, C2, C3, etc. and rows Ra and The state of all added binary data elements at their intersection with Rc is determined by comparison with a predetermined matrix expressed as: C(i)=x・(y+w+xu) C(i)=x・xu Row Ra Row Rc matrix
11 In the above formula, x=C(i) y=C(i+1) w=C(i-1). The matrix 11 serves a dual role by making the letters thicker towards the center in order to improve the symmetry of the letters. Matrix 11 determines the upper horizontal position of the character by converting the added binary data element into a dot at a location generally below the location of the corresponding binary data element representing the stored character. line (i.e. 7
Make the lower three lines of text in the line thicker downwards. However, the bottom horizontal line of the character (i.e., the top four lines of the seven-line character) is added at a location generally above the location of the corresponding binary data element representing the stored character. is thickened upward by converting the binary data element into a dot. Details will be described later in connection with FIGS. 20 and 21. This is done by converting data between the odd and even wires of the print head, as determined by a predetermined matrix 11, as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B. achieved. To increase the density of the linear component in the half-diagonal direction, column C2a and row 2 of the expanded reference matrix
The state of the added blank binary data element at the intersection with a is determined by comparison with a predetermined matrix expressed as: (C2a, R2a) = A.D. The states of all added binary data elements at the intersections of column C2a and rows Ra, i.e. R1a, R2a, R3a, etc. of the expanded reference matrix, are as follows: It is determined by comparison with a predetermined matrix expressed as: (C2a, Ra) = C2・C3u・2u・3 The state of the added binary data element at the intersection of column C2a and row R2c of the expanded reference matrix is a given matrix expressed as Determined by comparison with (C2a, R2c) = C B... The states of all added binary data elements at the intersections of column C2a and row Rc, i.e. R1c, R2c, R3c, etc. of the expanded reference matrix, are It is determined by comparison with a predetermined matrix expressed as: (C2a, Rc) = C2u・C3・2・3u In the general form, all columns Ca of the expanded reference matrix to increase the density of the linear components in the half diagonal direction, i.e. C1a, C2a , C3a, etc. with the addition of all blanks at the intersections 2
The state of the binary data element is determined by comparison with a predetermined matrix represented as: C(i)=x・yu・u・C(i)=xu・y・・u Row Ra Row Rc matrix
12 In the above formula, x=C(i) y=C(i+1). To increase the density of the largest diagonal linear component, column C2b and row
The state of the added binary data element at its intersection with R2a is determined by comparison with a predetermined matrix expressed as: (C2b, R2a) = B・H...(+)・(
+) +A・F...(+)・(+) Column C2b and row Ra of the expanded reference matrix,
That is, the state of all added binary data elements at the intersections of R1a, R2a, R3, etc. is determined by comparison with a predetermined matrix expressed as: (C2b, Ra) = C3・C1u・2・2u・(1+1uu)・(3d+3u) +C2・C4u・3・3u・(2d+2u)・(4+4uu) Column C2b and row R2c of the expanded reference matrix
The state of the added binary data element at the intersection with is determined by comparison with a predetermined matrix expressed as: (C2b, R2c)=G・D・・・(+)・(
+) +C・E...(+)・(+) Column C2b and row RC of the expanded reference matrix,
That is, the state of all added binary data elements at the intersections with R1c, R2c, R3c, etc. is
It is determined by comparison with a predetermined matrix expressed as follows. (C2b, Rc) = C1・C3u・2・2u・(1d+1u)・(3+3uu)+C2u・C4・3・3u・(2+2uu)・(4d+4u) In the general form, the extended reference matrix In order to emphasize the largest diagonal linear component of Determined by comparison with a predetermined matrix represented. (Cb, Ra) = w・yu・・u・(+uu)・(
d+u) (Cb, Ra)=w・yu・・u・(+uu)・(
d+u) +x・zu・・u・(d+u)・(d+uu
) (Cb, Ra) = w・yu・・u・(+uu)・(
d+u) +x・zu・・u・(d+u)・(d+uu
) (Cb, Rc)=y・wu・・u・(d+u)・(
+uu) (Cb, Ra) = w・yu・・u・(+uu)・(
d+u) +x・zu・・u・(d+u)・(d+uu
) (Cb, Rc)=y・wu・・u・(d+u)・(
+uu) +xu・zu・・u・(+uu)・(d+u)
Row Ra Row Rc Matrix 13 In the above equation, x=C(i) y=C(i-1) w=C(i+1) z=C(i+2). To increase the density of another half-diagonal linear component, the state of the added blank binary data element at the intersection of column 2c and row R2a of the expanded reference matrix is It is determined by comparison with a predetermined matrix expressed as (C2c, R2a) = C・B... Column C2c and row Ra of the expanded reference matrix,
That is, the state of all added binary data elements at the intersections with R1a, R2a, R3a, etc. is
It is determined by comparison with a predetermined matrix expressed as follows. (C2c, Ra) = C2u・C3・2・3u Column C2c and row R2c of the expanded reference matrix
The state of all added binary data elements at the intersection with is determined by comparison with a predetermined matrix expressed as: (C2c, R2c) = A・D... Column C2c and row Rc of the expanded reference matrix,
That is, the state of all added binary data elements at the intersections with R1c, R2c, R3c, etc. is
It is determined by comparison with a predetermined matrix expressed as follows. (C2c, Rc)=C2・C3u・2u・3 In general form, every column Cc, to increase the density of the linear component in another half of the diagonal direction of the expanded reference matrix, That is, C1c,
The state of all added blank binary data elements in C2c, C3c, etc. is determined by a predetermined matrix expressed as: C(i)=・u・xu・y C(i)=u・・x・yu Row Ra Row Ra matrix
14 In the above formula, x=C(i) y=C(i+1). To make text thicker horizontally, use the matrix
Each binary data element of the expanded reference matrix is overlapped two matrix positions to the right, as determined by comparison with 11 through 14. The state of these binary data elements is determined by comparison with a predetermined matrix expressed as: C'(i)=C(i-1)b+C(i) Matrix 15 C'(i)a=C(i-1)c+C(i)a
Matrix 16 C'(i)b = C(i) + C(i)b Matrix 17 C'(i)c = C(i)a + C(i)c Matrix 18 By overlapping the binary data elements If the characters are made thicker, undesirable horizontal dots that are adjacent one-half dot apart may occur, making the characters too dense. Binary data elements that pass consecutive dots are selectively blanked out by comparison with a predetermined matrix represented as follows. C″(i)=″(-1)+C′(i) Matrix 19 C″(i)a=(i)・C′(i)a Matrix 20 C″(i)b=″(i)+C″ (i)aC′(i)b
Matrix 21 C″(i)c=″(i)・C′(i)c Matrix 22 After two more runs are printed on the characters shown in Figure 17, the characters shown in Figure 5 are printed. The characters that are displayed are generated. FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate a method according to the present invention for printing characters that have been doubled in size and highlighted (2×-WP) in word processing mode, as shown in FIG. 2 is a flowchart representing the logical operations to be performed. At step 40, the data representing the positions of the left and right columns of the stored matrix and the data therein are initialized and set to zero. In step 41, the print
It is determined whether the head is running for the first time or for the second time. In steps 42 and 43, the column type is determined as C, Ca, Cb, or Cc to determine for each column which of the added binary data elements should be converted from blanks to dots. It is determined. After determining the column types of the expanded criteria matrix, the expanded criteria matrix is
It is compared with predetermined matrices such as those defined in matrices 7 to 22 above. After the appropriate comparisons have been made, each column is printed and the process is repeated in a second pass following step 41. When all columns R have been printed, the routine ends. In FIGS. 20 and 21, the horizontal linear component of a dot matrix character is made thicker as is done in the prior art, and the character is made thicker toward the center as in the method of the present invention. The cases are compared. In Figure 20, by printing all the horizontal lines a second time one-half dot lower than the first print, the horizontal component of the character is made thicker vertically; This is usually done using the same data for both the first and second runs. Therefore, dots 50 and 5
Dots such as 1 were printed at positions 52 and 53, respectively, overlapping one-half dot downward. This is generally acceptable for the tops of letters, but for dots extending to the base line,
The letters lose their symmetry, as shown,
By making dots 54 and 55 thicker than dots 56 and 57, they extend below the base line, so
Undesirable. In the character of Figure 21, the binary data elements of the character are processed logically to print a character that is thickened vertically toward the center and retains the baseline of the first character. be done. A horizontal linear component at the top of the character, as marked by dots 61 and 62, converts binary data elements 63 and 64 directly below the corresponding binary data elements 61 and 62 to dots. This makes it thicker. dots 65 and 66
In the horizontal linear component at the bottom of a character, as represented by the binary data element immediately above the corresponding stored binary data element,
Elements 67 and 68 are converted to dots.
The binary data element in the center of the character can be thickened upward or downward as desired.
The method of actually displaying such characters was described above in connection with the printing of the second run using matrix 11 in word processing mode. Apparatus for displaying such characters will be described in connection with FIGS. 2, 3, 13, and 24. To display the enlarged characters of Figure 8, binary data elements are stored to generate additional binary data elements that enlarge the characters and increase their density, but do not make them thicker. A logical operation is performed on the set of . Using a stored set of binary data elements that define characters that are dense in the horizontal direction and less dense in the vertical and diagonal directions (as shown in Figure 9), the above logical operations increasing the length of the vertical, diagonal, and horizontal linear components, maintaining the thickness of the vertical, diagonal, and horizontal linear components generally perpendicular to their linear direction, and increasing the length of the horizontal linear components; The density of the linear components is kept high and the density of the vertical and diagonal linear components is selectively increased. Such characters follow the method of producing characters enlarged to 2x size in the word processing mode, as described above, but with predetermined matrices 7, 8, and 12 as shown in FIG. This can be obtained by using only matrixes 1 to 14 and replacing matrix 11 with a matrix expressed as follows. C(i)=x*xu C(i)=x*xu Row Ra Row Rc Matrix 11A In the above equation, x=C(i). To display the enlarged character of FIG. Logical operations are performed on the set of data elements. Using a stored set of binary data elements that define characters that are dense in the horizontal direction and less dense in the vertical and diagonal directions, the data processing mode is expanded to 2x as described above. Such a character can be obtained by following the method for generating a character, but using only the predetermined matrix 1 and replacing matrix 2 with matrix 2A expressed as follows. C(i)=x C(i)=x C(i)=x・xu+(・u)・[(y・wu)・(+
uu)・(u+d) +(w・yu)・(d+u)・(+uu) Row R Row Rb matrix 2A In the above formula, x=C(i) y=C(i+1) x=C(i- 1). A flowchart representing the sequence of this logical operation is shown in FIG. As mentioned above, further logical operations may be performed to display characters in which some, but not all, of the linear components are made thicker or denser. Characters can also be enlarged to have data processing quality, for example, the thickness and density of the horizontal component is increased and emphasized, but the diagonal and vertical components are not. . Produces characters scaled to 2x in word processing mode using a stored set of binary data elements that define characters that are dense in the horizontal direction and less dense in the vertical and diagonal directions. Such characters are obtained by following the method of closing (FIGS. 19A and 19B), but by eliminating the logical operations that make comparisons with matrices 15, 16, 17, and 18. Similarly, it is stored to display a character whose horizontal linear component has word processing quality and whose diagonal and vertical components have word processing quality with emphasis. Logical operations can be performed on binary data elements.
In FIG. 19A and the flowchart of FIG. 19, matrix 11A expressed as below is used instead of matrix 11, and matrices 19, 20, 21, and
By removing the logical operation represented by 22 and eliminating the step of exchanging data between the even and odd wires when printing the second run at the bottom of the character. It has been modified to display characters like this. C(i)=x・xu C(i)=x・xu Row Ra Row Rc In the above equation, x=C(i). In a character whose horizontal linear component has word processing quality and whose vertical and diagonal linear components have thickened word processing quality, that is, word processing quality characters. A stored binary value for displaying characters that have increased density, but are two dots thicker than normal, rather than one dot or one-half dot thick. Logical operations can be performed on sets of data elements. In the flowcharts of FIGS. 19A and 19B, matrices 15A, 16A, 16A, and 18 are replaced by
Corrections are made by using 17A and 18A. C′(i)=C(i)+C(i-1)b+Ci-1)c
Matrix 15A C′(i)a=C(i)a+C(i)+C(i)c
Matrix 16A C′(i)b=C(i)a+C(i)+C(i-1)c
Matrix 17A C′(i)c=C(i)b+C(i)a+C(i)
Matrix 18A Two stored characters for displaying characters whose vertical and diagonal linear components have word processing quality and whose horizontal linear components have thickened word processing quality. Logical operations can be performed on a set of binary data elements. for example,
The horizontal line is two dots wide, and the other lines are
It has a width of 1.5 dots and the dots overlap to increase density. In the flow chart of FIGS. 19A and 19B, instead of matrices 7 and 8, matrix A is represented as follows:
and 8A are modified to display such characters. C(i)=x C(i)=x C(i)=x・xu+(・u)・[(y・wu)・(+
uu)・(u+d) C(i)=x C(i)=x・xu+(・u)・[(y・wu)・(+
uu)・(u+d) +(w・yu)・(d+u)・(+uu〕)+x
(w+y) Row R Row Rb matrix 7A C(i)=x・y C(i)=x・y C(i)b=・u・xu・y+x・yu・u+x・y
Row R Row Rb matrix 8A In the above equation, x=C(i) y=C(i+1) x=C(i-1). It is also possible to perform logical operations on a set of stored binary data elements such that all linear components have an exaggerated word processing quality and display characters that are thicker than normal. 19th
By substituting matrices 7, 8, 15, 16, 17, and 18 with matrices 7A, 8A, 15A, 16A, 17A, and 18A as described above in the flowcharts of Figures A and 19B, You can modify it to display characters like this. Similarly, to selectively increase or decrease the thickness of various vertical, horizontal, and diagonal components of the enlarged character by different amounts by varying the logical operations performed on the stored data. Any matrix can be used. Similarly, characters can be enlarged at different magnification factors in the vertical and horizontal directions. That is,
It is possible to obtain a character that is enlarged vertically to a 2× size, but horizontally remains at its normal 1× size. This allows different pitches, for example to select 10 or 12 characters per 2.54 cm. FIG. 24 shows that according to the method of the present invention, the size,
Figure 2 schematically shows a display of enlarged dot matrix characters whose thickness or density can each be selectively increased; The circuit includes a control device 71, a character data storage means 72, and a logic device 7.
3. a print media controller 74 connected to the tractor motor 9, a print head movement controller 76 attached to the print head motor 13, and for controlling the energization of the individual print wires 14; Print head body part 1
5 includes a print head actuator 75 connected to the printhead actuator 75. Each set of binary data elements is stored in character data storage means 72 which includes a plurality of storage devices 16 as shown in FIG. Binary data representing either dots or blanks in a matrix of positions arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns is stored in each storage device 16, and the stored data represents one character. represent Logic unit 73 includes means for performing logical operations on selected sets of binary data elements representing various characters. In particular, the logic device 73 addresses appropriate data representing the desired character, reads the data representing the desired character,
defining a reference matrix for each character, expanding the reference matrix by adding blank binary data elements, comparing selected portions of the expanded reference matrix to a predetermined matrix, and Convert a binary data element that fits into a dot.
Following commands from controller 71, the size, thickness and density of the characters are selectively increased as desired by the printer operator. Control unit 71 includes means for managing the data processing and mechanical functions of the printer, coordinating the operation of each, and is capable of communicating with a host computer. Management of data processing may include control of character data storage means 72 and logic device 73. Controlling the mechanical operations of the printer can include controlling the print media or paper, the movement of the print head, and the energization of print wires in the print head. Print media controller 74 provides signals to motor 9 to control the movement of print media 2 on the platen through the print head. Print head movement controller 76 provides signals to print head motor 13 to control translational movement of the print head across print media 2. Print head actuator 75, under the control of signals from controller 71, applies individual print elements 14 of print head 11 in accordance with data signals from character data storage means 72 and logic device 73. A signal is supplied to the device to incentivize the device. Controller 71 typically coordinates the flow of data to print head actuator 75 with the physical movement of the print head. Although the method of the present invention has been described above with respect to a particular dot matrix printer and 2x magnification, the method of the present invention is applicable to any device displaying dot matrix characters of any size. It should be understood that also can be used. For example, although the particular embodiment described above generally describes left-to-right printing, right-to-left printing is also possible by simply starting the operation at the right end of the matrix and proceeding to the left. F. Effects of the Invention According to the method of the present invention, a method for displaying selectively enlarged dot matrix characters is obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is twice as large as that shown in FIG. 6 and has data processing quality (2
x-DP) A flowchart representing the logical operations performed according to the method of the present invention to print a character; FIG. Schematic diagram showing the impact end of the print head for a matrix printer, FIG.
A schematic diagram illustrating the relative movement of the print heads of FIG. 2 in the printing of low quality dot matrix characters having a size of , showing the text in Figure 3 enlarged to 2x size, showing the significant step-up associated with the prior art; Figure 5 has the linear component emphasized by increasing its density and thickness. , a diagram showing the characters of FIG. 3 enlarged to 2× size according to the method of the present invention; FIG. 6 shows that the thickness of the linear component is increased, but the density is not Figure 7 shows the text of Figure 3 enlarged to 2x size according to the method of the invention; Figure 8 shows the text of Figure 3 enlarged to size, Figure 8 has the density of the linear component increased, but not the thickness, 2x size according to the method of the invention. Figure 9 shows the characters in Figure 3 enlarged to , and Figure 9 shows the data density in the vertical and diagonal directions is low, and the data density in the horizontal direction is high, limiting the shape of the characters in Figure 3. Figure 10 shows a set of binary data elements; Figure 10 shows a reference matrix of size 1x for data processing, i.e., enlarging characters in a low quality mode; Figure 11 shows the added lines. Rb (i.e. R1b,
R2b, R3b) and the added column Cb (i.e. C1b,
C2b, C3b) are added to the reference matrix of FIG. 10 to define the positions of the binary data elements; Which of the binary data elements at position (C,
Figure 13 shows a predetermined matrix for determining which added binary data elements in (Rb) and (Cb, Rb) should be converted to dots. Schematic diagram showing a compatible type of dot matrix printer, Part 1
Figure 4 shows a reference matrix of 1x size for word processing, i.e. for enlarging characters in fully emphasized mode, and Figure 15 shows the added columns Ca,
Cb, and Cc and the added rows Ra, Rb, and
An expanded reference matrix of FIG. 14 in which Rc defines the location of the added binary data elements; FIG. 16 shows which of the added binary data elements are located (C,
Rb), (Cb, R), and (Cb, Rb) to define a predetermined matrix for determining which added binary data elements in (Cb, Rb) should be converted to dots. a diagram illustrating the expanded reference matrix of FIG. 15 in which certain positions among A to N and P to Q are selectively used;
FIG. 17 shows the additional binary data generated after two of four passes for highlighted characters for a word process as displayed by a dot matrix printer. - A diagram showing combinations of elements and stored binary data elements, FIG. 18 shows which of the added binary data elements are located at positions (C, Ra), (Ca,
Ra), (Cb, Ra), (Cc, Ra), (C, Rc), (Ca,
Rc), (Cb, Rc), and (Cc, Rc) to determine which binary data elements should be converted to dots.
15, 19A and 19B are twice the size as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 20 is a flowchart representing the logical operations performed in accordance with the method of the present invention to print a (2×-WP) character that is 2×-WP and has word processing quality. Figure 21 shows how the thickness of the letters is increased vertically by printing the line a second time one-half dot below the first print. Figure 22 shows how the thickness of the characters is increased vertically towards the center, as shown in Figure 8, but the density of the linear component is increased. , a flowchart representing the logical operations performed in accordance with the method of the present invention to print a character enlarged to a size of 2×, whose thickness has not been increased, FIG. 23 is shown in FIG. Figure 24 is a flowchart illustrating the logical operations performed in accordance with the method of the present invention to print a character enlarged to a size of 2x, with no increase in thickness or density of the linear components, as shown in Figure 24. Dots according to the method of invention
1 is a schematic diagram showing a device for displaying matrix characters; FIG. 1...Platen, 2...Print medium, 3, 4
...Tractor device, 5...Foil or belt,
6...pin, 7...hole, 8...shaft, 9...
...Tractor device motor, 11...Print head, 12...Support, 13...Print head motor, 14...Print element (wire), 15...Main body part, 16...Storage device,
71...Control device, 72...Character data storage means, 73...Logic device, 74...Print medium control device, 75...Print head actuator, 76...Print head movement control device.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A method for displaying dot matrix characters consisting of binary data elements representing either dots or blanks arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns, each character storing in a storage device a plurality of sets of binary data elements forming a plurality of binary data elements with a higher density in the horizontal direction and lower density in the vertical and diagonal directions, and performing a logical operation on each set of the stored binary data elements. generating additional binary data elements for expanding each character in at least one of vertical and horizontal directions; selectively used in conjunction with binary data elements to display characters whose vertical, diagonal, and horizontal linear components are expanded, and whose thickness components are selectively expanded and densified. , A method for enlarging and displaying dot matrix characters.